While the current-generation Toyota Fortuner may be quite a few years old, Toyota has been revising the popular SUV over the years in an attempt to keep it up to date.
The latest efforts from Toyota see the Fortuner receiving exciting Gazoo-Racing Sport treatment.
Notably, this is the first time that the automaker gives the Fortuner the GR-Sport treatment, unlike its Hilux sibling, which has been receiving the same treatment for several years now.
In case you’re wondering, Toyota’s GR strategy consists of various packages which focus on different elements such as more power, suspension upgrades and cosmetics.
The Hilux and now Fortuner employ the suspension package which sees a focus on functional beauty and a tuned suspension while adding slightly more performance to the recipe.
Exterior
The Toyota Fortuner GR-Sport sees several exterior improvements which include a reshaped front bumper with a newly styled lower grille, newly designed fog lamp bezels, a black front spoiler, and a rear diffuser with an aerodynamic design.
New 18-inch GR alloy wheels finished in black have also been added for a sporty look. Only two exterior colours are on offer for the Fortuner GR-Sport: attitude black and platinum white pearl.
Interior
Inside, the Fortuner GR-Sport receives a noticeably sportier look and feel thanks to the addition of a GR display for the instrument cluster, a perforated steering wheel with a red center mark, smoke silver metallic and matte carbon trims around the instrument panel and center console, exclusive perforated leather and suede GR sports seats with embroidery on the headrests and red stitching around the cabin.
Aluminum sports pedals are also on offer, along with GR badging and accents on the steering wheel, push start button and on the key fob.
Engine upgrades
Under the skin, the Fortuner GR-Sport has been given a suspension tune, which results in improved handling and ride comfort. The 2.8-litre 4-cylinder oil burner has seen a bump in power figures, much like the Hilux GR-Sport, now boasting 165kW and 550Nm of torque.
Driving
The media launch event saw us traveling through a mixture of coastal highways and lengthy gravel roads with loose and coarse surfaces.
Regardless of the road conditions, the improvements to the engine and suspension are certainly noticed and pleasingly welcomed.
Overtaking, although not much of a tedious task before, is now simply effortless.
With three driving modes available – Eco, Normal, and Sport- drivers can choose the driving mode best suited for any scenario.
On gravel roads, we found ourselves driving up to 100km/h in comfort without too much rattling in the cabin.
Leaving the vehicle in standard proved quite impressive as we traversed the 70km gravel stretch in its two-wheel-drive setting. The option to switch to 4H was there however, not once did we feel the need to switch.
Carrying an asking price of R999 000, the Toyota Fortuner GR-Sport comes in at R49 000 over the previously top-of-the-range model VX, which seems like a bargain considering the enhancements made to the GR-Sport model.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to customers shopping in that region, only time and the monthly sales figures will tell the true story.
Considering the Fortuner’s popularity, it’s more than likely that Toyota will continue the Fortuner success story with this new model.